It was not their irritating assumption of equality that annoyed Nicholai so much as their cultural confusions. The Americans seemed to confuse standard of living with quality of life, equal opportunity with institutionalized mediocrity, bravery with courage, machismo with manhood,… — Trevanian Copy Share Image
“Your scorn for mediocrity blinds you to its vast primitive power. You stand in the glare of your own brilliance, unable to see into… — Trevanian Copy Share Image
Ripe for romance? Is that not only the self-conscious and sensitive young man's way of saying he was heavy with passion? Is not, perhaps,… — Trevanian Copy Share Image
You can gain experience, if you are careful to avoid empty redundancy. Do not fall into the error of the artisan who boasts of… — Trevanian Copy Share Image
As you know, shibumi has to do with great refinement underlying commonplace appearances. It is a statement so correct that it does not have… — Trevanian Copy Share Image
“It's not Americans I find annoying; it's Americanism: a social disease of the postindustrial world that must inevitably infect each of the mercantile nations… — Trevanian Copy Share Image
Do not fall into the error of the artist who boasts of twenty years experience in his craft while in fact he has had… — Trevanian Copy Share Image
No one really likes Switzerland, except those who prefer cleanliness to life. — Trevanian Copy Share Image
“Confession is good for the soul, it empties the spirit making more room for sin.” — Trevanian Copy Share Image
“It is a truism of American politics that no man who can win an election deserves to.” — Trevanian Copy Share Image
“Niko? I have decided to christen this little pool Le Cagot's Soul." "Oh?" "Yes. Because it is clear and pure and lucid." "And treacherous… — Trevanian Copy Share Image
“Short first pregnancies do not occasion criticism in our valley, for it is widely known that the good Lord often makes first pregnancies mercifully… — Trevanian Copy Share Image
